10,000 more cops to be recruited as normal life cripples for 76th day in IHK

SRINAGAR (92 News) – As the protests continued unabated across Kashmir even as curfew, restrictions and shutdown crippled normal life for the 76th consecutive day on Thursday, the Indian Home Ministry approved recruitment of additional 10,000 Special Police Officers (SPOs) in the state police force. There are 25,000 SPOs in Jammu and Kashmir. Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh has given his approval for the engagement of the Special Police Officers (SPOs), especially for the security related requirements. The order will come into immediate effect and the additional number is over and above the existing strength of the SPOs. Due to curfew, restrictions and separatists-sponsored shutdown, normal life remained affected for 75th consecutive day in Valley. All shops, business establishments, educational institutions and petrol pumps remained closed while public transport was off the roads. The Valley is on a boil following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8. More than 80 persons and thousands others have been injured in the clashes that began on July 9. More than 100 people have been killed and around 6,000 injured in the ensuing clashes, many of them wounded by shotgun rounds fired by Indian troops enforcing a curfew across the valley. With more than two months of unrest showing no signs of ending, local authorities have warned people against venturing out in the night and have also instructed shops and businesses to remain shut. The youth at many places in Srinagar took to roads to protest the continued civilian killings. Chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, the protestors clashed with the cops, who fired tear smoke shells and resorted to baton charge to disperse them. Chanting anti-India and pro-freedom slogans, they protested against the ongoing civilian killings in Kashmir and demanded an end to such killings. People in Hajin area of Bandipora staged nocturnal protests to protest against the bullet injuries to youth in forces action. The clashes between youth and security personnel were also reported from some areas in North Kashmir. A peaceful pro-freedom march was taken out from Jamia Masjid Sopore. It was attended by hundreds of people. The participants waved Pakistani flag and placards seeking solution to Kashmir issue. The march culminated peacefully at Chanakhan. Previously, in occupied Kashmir, six civilians including a boy were killed and several others injured due to the firing of Indian forces on peaceful protesters in Srinagar, Budgam and Islamabad districts. Five protesters were killed after security forces fired on protesters in Beerwah area of Budgam district. Another youth from Anantnag district of South Kashmir died during clashes with the security forces today. Dozens of people have been injured in the protests. With these killings, the death toll in the ongoing Kashmir Intifada has risen to 80 in the past 39 days. The intifada was triggered by the extra-judicial killing of the top commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, Burhan Wani, on July 8, this year.